View item related searches

ABSTRACT

A system and method of providing related search queries are disclosed. A new item listing is identified based on a determination that the new item listing lacks a predetermined minimum amount of clickstream data. Similar item listings for the new item listing is determined from a plurality of old item listings based on at least one item feature of the new item listing and the plurality of old item listings. The plurality of old item listings comprises live item listings and completed item listings. Each old item listing has at least the predetermined minimum amount of clickstream data. Related search queries of the similar item listings are associated with the new item listing. The related search queries for the new item listing are provided along with the new item listing to a user on a client device.

PRIORITY

This application is a continuation of and claims the benefit of priorityto U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/722,680, filed on Dec. 20, 2012,which is hereby incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present application relates generally to the technical field ofsearch query processing, and, in various embodiments, to systems andmethods of providing related search queries.

BACKGROUND

Electronic commerce (e-commerce) websites may allow a user to viewitems. A user may want to be able to search for items similar to theitem currently being viewed.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Some embodiments of the present disclosure are illustrated by way ofexample and not limitation in the figures of the accompanying drawings,in which like reference numbers indicate similar elements and in which:

FIG. 1 is a block diagram depicting a network architecture of a system,according to some embodiments, having a client-server architectureconfigured for exchanging data over a network;

FIG. 2 is a block diagram depicting a various components of anetwork-based publisher, according to some embodiments;

FIG. 3 is a block diagram depicting an example embodiment of varioustables that may be maintained within a database;

FIG. 4 is a block diagram illustrating an example embodiment of a systemthat provides related search queries;

FIG. 5 illustrates an example embodiment of a bipartite graph;

FIG. 6 illustrates an example embodiment of a ranking of queries for anitem listing;

FIG. 7 illustrates an example embodiment of a dictionary of relatedqueries for given queries;

FIG. 8 illustrates an example embodiment of an e-commerce web pagepresenting related search queries to a user in response to the usersubmitting an original search query;

FIG. 9 is a flowchart illustrating an example embodiment of a method ofproviding related search queries for given search queries;

FIG. 10 is a flowchart illustrating an example embodiment of a method ofdetermining related search queries for given search queries;

FIG. 11 illustrates an example embodiment of an item listing pagepresenting related search queries;

FIGS. 12A-12B illustrate an example embodiment of associating relatedqueries for similar item listings with a new item listing;

FIG. 13 is a flowchart illustrating an example embodiment of a method ofdetermining related search data for a new item listing; and

FIG. 14 shows a diagrammatic representation of a machine in the exampleform of a computer system within which a set of instructions may beexecuted to cause the machine to perform any one or more of themethodologies discussed herein.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The description that follows includes illustrative systems, methods,techniques, instruction sequences, and computing machine programproducts that embody illustrative embodiments. In the followingdescription, for purposes of explanation, numerous specific details areset forth in order to provide an understanding of various embodiments ofthe inventive subject matter. It will be evident, however, to thoseskilled in the art that embodiments of the inventive subject matter maybe practiced without these specific details. In general, well-knowninstruction instances, protocols, structures, and techniques have notbeen shown in detail.

The present disclosure describes a system and method of providing searchqueries that are related to an original search query. The related searchqueries may be provided to a user that submits the original searchquery. In some embodiments, the related search queries may be presentedon a search results page that comprises the results (e.g., itemlistings) of the original search query.

In some embodiments, a system comprises at least one processor and arelated query determination module. The related query determinationmodule may be executable by the at least one processor and be configuredto receive log file data from a data store. The log file data maycomprise original search queries and clickstream data for a plurality ofe-commerce item listings. The plurality of e-commerce item listings maycomprise live item listings and completed item listings. The relatedquery determination module may also be configured to determine at leastone related search query for at least one of the original search queriesbased on clickstream data for at least one of the live item listings andclickstream data for at least one of the completed item listings.

In some embodiments, determining the at least one related search querymay comprise performing a bipartite graph analysis of the originalsearch queries and clickstream data in the log file data. In someembodiments, determining the at least one related search query maycomprise forming an aggregation of search queries for each of thee-commerce item listings in the plurality of e-commerce item listings.The aggregation of search queries for an e-commerce item listing may beformed from the original search queries and be based on clickstream databetween the original search queries and the e-commerce item listing.Determining the at least one related search query may further compriseranking the search queries in the aggregation of search queries for eachof the e-commerce item listings in the plurality of e-commerce itemlistings. In some embodiments, the ranking of the search queries in theaggregation of search queries is based, at least in part, on useractions reflected in the clickstream data. In some embodiments, theranking of the search queries in the aggregation of search queries isbased, at least in part, on a frequency of user actions reflected in theclickstream data. In some embodiments, the user actions reflected in theclickstream data comprise a user viewing an e-commerce item listing anda user submitting an offer to purchase an item in the e-commerce itemlisting.

In some embodiments, the system further comprises a navigation module.The navigation module may be executable by at least one processor andconfigured to receive a search query from a user on a client device. Thesearch query may match one of the original search queries. Thenavigation module may also be configured to retrieve at least one of therelated search queries determined for the matched one of the originalsearch queries, and to provide the retrieved related search queries tothe user on the client device.

In some embodiments, the related query determination module may befurther configured to assign at least one of the determined relatedsearch queries to the at least one of the original search queries in adictionary. In some embodiments, the related query determination modulemay be further configured to determine that a similarity level between arecall set for one of the related search queries and a recall set forone of the original search queries exceeds a predetermined threshold,and to omit the one of the related search queries for which thesimilarity level exceeds the predetermined threshold from being assignedto an original search query in the dictionary in response to thesimilarity level exceeding the predetermined threshold.

In some embodiments, a computer-implemented method comprises receivinglog file data from a data store. The log file data may comprise originalsearch queries and clickstream data for a plurality of e-commerce itemlistings. The plurality of e-commerce item listings may comprise liveitem listings and completed item listings. At least one related searchquery may be determined for at least one of the original search queriesbased on clickstream data for at least one of the live item listings andclickstream data for at least one of the completed item listings.

In some embodiments, determining at least one related search querycomprises performing a bipartite graph analysis of the original searchqueries and clickstream data in the log file data. In some embodiments,determining at least one related search query comprises forming anaggregation of search queries for each of the e-commerce item listingsin the plurality of e-commerce item listings. The aggregation of searchqueries for an e-commerce item listing may be formed from the originalsearch queries and be based on clickstream data between the originalsearch queries and the e-commerce item listing. The search queries inthe aggregation of search queries may be ranked for each of thee-commerce item listings in the plurality of e-commerce item listings.In some embodiments, the ranking of the search queries in theaggregation of search queries is based, at least in part, on useractions reflected in the clickstream data. In some embodiments, theranking of the search queries in the aggregation of search queries isbased, at least in part, on a frequency of user actions reflected in theclickstream data. In some embodiments, the user actions reflected in theclickstream data comprise a user viewing an e-commerce item listing anda user submitting an offer to purchase an item in the e-commerce itemlisting.

In some embodiments, a search query may be received from a user on aclient device. The search query may match one of the original searchqueries. At least one of the related search queries determined for thematched one of the original search queries may be provided to the useron the client device.

In some embodiments, at least one of the determined related searchqueries may be assigned to the at least one of the original searchqueries in a dictionary. In some embodiments, a similarity level betweena recall set for one of the related search queries and a recall set forone of the original search queries may be determined to exceed apredetermined threshold, and the one of the related search queries forwhich the similarity level exceeds the predetermined threshold may beomitted from being assigned to an original search query in thedictionary in response to the similarity level exceeding thepredetermined threshold.

The present disclosure also describes a system and method of providingrelated search queries for an item listing. The related search queriesmay be provided to a user being presented with the item listing. In someembodiments, the related search queries may be displayed on an itemlisting page that comprises an item listing.

In some embodiments, a system comprises at least one processor and arelated query determination module. The related query determinationmodule may be executable by the at least one processor and be configuredto identify a new e-commerce item listing based on a determination thatthe new e-commerce item listing lacks a predetermined minimum amount ofclickstream data. The related query determination module also may beconfigured to determine similar e-commerce item listings for the newe-commerce item listing from a plurality of old e-commerce item listingsbased on at least one item feature of the new e-commerce item listingand the plurality of old e-commerce item listings. The plurality of olde-commerce item listings may comprise live e-commerce item listings andcompleted e-commerce item listings. Each old e-commerce item listing mayhave at least the predetermined minimum amount of clickstream data. Therelated query determination module may further be configured toassociate related search queries of the similar e-commerce item listingswith the new e-commerce item listing, and to provide, to a user on aclient device, the related search queries for the new e-commerce itemlisting along with the new e-commerce item listing.

In some embodiments, the at least one item feature comprises categorydata, title data, or structured item data, image data, seller data, orprice data. In some embodiments, the related query determination modulemay be further configured to receive log file data from a data store.The log file data may comprise original search queries and clickstreamdata for the old e-commerce item listings. The related querydetermination module may also be configured to determine the relatedsearch queries for each of the old e-commerce item listings based on theoriginal search queries and the clickstream data for the old e-commerceitem listings. In some embodiments, determining the related searchqueries for each of the old e-commerce item listings comprises formingan aggregation of search queries for each of the old e-commerce itemlistings. The aggregation of search queries for an old e-commerce itemlisting may be formed from the original search queries and be based onclickstream data between the original search queries and the olde-commerce item listing. Determining the related search queries for eachof the old e-commerce item listings may also comprise ranking the searchqueries in the aggregation of search queries for each of the olde-commerce item listings. In some embodiments, the ranking of the searchqueries in the aggregation of search queries may be based, at least inpart, on user actions reflected in the clickstream data. In someembodiments, the ranking of the search queries in the aggregation ofsearch queries may be based, at least in part, on a frequency of useractions reflected in the clickstream data. In some embodiments, the useractions reflected in the clickstream data may comprise a user viewing anitem listing and a user submitting an offer to purchase an item in theitem listing.

In some embodiments, a computer-implemented method comprises identifyinga new e-commerce item listing based on a determination that the newe-commerce item listing lacks a predetermined minimum amount ofclickstream data, and determining similar e-commerce item listings forthe new e-commerce item listing from a plurality of old e-commerce itemlistings based on at least one item feature of the new e-commerce itemlisting and the plurality of old e-commerce item listings. The pluralityof old e-commerce item listings may comprise live e-commerce itemlistings and completed e-commerce item listings. Each old e-commerceitem listing may have at least the predetermined minimum amount ofclickstream data. The method may also comprise associating relatedsearch queries of the similar e-commerce item listings with the newe-commerce item listing, and providing, to a user on a client device,the related search queries for the new e-commerce item listing alongwith the new e-commerce item listing.

In some embodiments, the at least one item feature comprises categorydata, title data, or structured item data, image data, seller data, orprice data. In some embodiments, the method further comprises receivinglog file data from a data store. The log file data may comprise originalsearch queries and clickstream data for the old e-commerce itemlistings. The method may also comprise determining the related searchqueries for each of the old e-commerce item listings based on theoriginal search queries and the clickstream data for the old e-commerceitem listings. In some embodiments, determining the related searchqueries for each of the old e-commerce item listings may compriseforming an aggregation of search queries for each of the old e-commerceitem listings. The aggregation of search queries for an old e-commerceitem listing may be formed from the original search queries and may bebased on clickstream data between the original search queries and theold e-commerce item listing. Determining the related search queries foreach of the old e-commerce item listings may also comprise ranking thesearch queries in the aggregation of search queries for each of the olde-commerce item listings. In some embodiments, the ranking of the searchqueries in the aggregation of search queries may be based, at least inpart, on user actions reflected in the clickstream data. In someembodiments, the ranking of the search queries in the aggregation ofsearch queries may be based, at least in part, on a frequency of useractions reflected in the clickstream data. In some embodiments, the useractions reflected in the clickstream data may comprise a user viewing anitem listing and a user submitting an offer to purchase an item in theitem listing.

In some embodiments, a non-transitory machine-readable storage devicemay store a set of instructions that, when executed by at least oneprocessor, causes the at least one processor to perform the operationsdiscussed within the present disclosure.

FIG. 1 is a network diagram depicting a client-server system 100, withinwhich one example embodiment may be deployed. A networked system 102, inthe example forms of a network-based marketplace or publication system,provides server-side functionality, via a network 104 (e.g., theInternet or a Wide Area Network (WAN)) to one or more clients. FIG. 1illustrates, for example, a web client 106 (e.g., a browser, such as theInternet Explorer browser developed by Microsoft Corporation of Redmond,Washington State) and a programmatic client 108 executing on respectiveclient machines 110 and 112.

An API server 114 and a web server 116 are coupled to, and provideprogrammatic and web interfaces respectively to, one or more applicationservers 118. The application servers 118 host one or more marketplaceapplications 120 and payment applications 122. The application servers118 are, in turn, shown to be coupled to one or more database servers124 that facilitate access to one or more databases 126.

The marketplace applications 120 may provide a number of marketplacefunctions and services to users who access the networked system 102. Thepayment applications 122 may likewise provide a number of paymentservices and functions to users. The payment applications 122 may allowusers to accumulate value (e.g., in a commercial currency, such as theU.S. dollar, or a proprietary currency, such as “points”) in accounts,and then later to redeem the accumulated value for products (e.g., goodsor services) that are made available via the marketplace applications120. While the marketplace and payment applications 120 and 122 areshown in FIG. 1 to both form part of the networked system 102, it willbe appreciated that, in alternative embodiments, the paymentapplications 122 may form part of a payment service that is separate anddistinct from the networked system 102.

Further, while the system 100 shown in FIG. 1 employs a client-serverarchitecture, the embodiments are, of course not limited to such anarchitecture, and could equally well find application in a distributed,or peer-to-peer, architecture system, for example. The variousmarketplace and payment applications 120 and 122 could also beimplemented as standalone software programs, which do not necessarilyhave networking capabilities.

The web client 106 accesses the various marketplace and paymentapplications 120 and 122 via the web interface supported by the webserver 116. Similarly, the programmatic client 108 accesses the variousservices and functions provided by the marketplace and paymentapplications 120 and 122 via the programmatic interface provided by theAPI server 114. The programmatic client 108 may, for example, be aseller application (e.g., the TurboLister application developed by eBayInc., of San Jose, Calif.) to enable sellers to author and managelistings on the networked system 102 in an off-line manner, and toperform batch-mode communications between the programmatic client 108and the networked system 102.

FIG. 1 also illustrates a third party application 128, executing on athird party server machine 130, as having programmatic access to thenetworked system 102 via the programmatic interface provided by the APIserver 114. For example, the third party application 128 may, utilizinginformation retrieved from the networked system 102, support one or morefeatures or functions on a website hosted by the third party. The thirdparty website may, for example, provide one or more promotional,marketplace, or payment functions that are supported by the relevantapplications of the networked system 102.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating multiple applications 120 and 122that, in one example embodiment, are provided as part of the networkedsystem 102. The applications 120 and 122 may be hosted on dedicated orshared server machines (not shown) that are communicatively coupled toenable communications between server machines. The applications 120 and122 themselves are communicatively coupled (e.g., via appropriateinterfaces) to each other and to various data sources, so as to allowinformation to be passed between the applications 120 and 122 or so asto allow the applications 120 and 122 to share and access common data.The applications 120 and 122 may furthermore access one or moredatabases 126 via the database servers 124.

The networked system 102 may provide a number of publishing, listing,and price-setting mechanisms whereby a seller may list (or publishinformation concerning) goods or services for sale, a buyer can expressinterest in or indicate a desire to purchase such goods or services, anda price can be set for a transaction pertaining to the goods orservices. To this end, the marketplace applications 120 and 122 areshown to include at least one publication application 200 and one ormore auction applications 202, which support auction-format listing andprice setting mechanisms (e.g., English, Dutch, Vickrey, Chinese,Double, Reverse auctions etc.). The various auction applications 202 mayalso provide a number of features in support of such auction-formatlistings, such as a reserve price feature whereby a seller may specify areserve price in connection with a listing and a proxy-bidding featurewhereby a bidder may invoke automated proxy bidding.

A number of fixed-price applications 204 support fixed-price listingformats (e.g., the traditional classified advertisement-type listing ora catalogue listing) and buyout-type listings. Specifically, buyout-typelistings (e.g., including the Buy-It-Now (BIN) technology developed byeBay Inc., of San Jose, Calif.) may be offered in conjunction withauction-format listings, and allow a buyer to purchase goods orservices, which are also being offered for sale via an auction, for afixed-price that is typically higher than the starting price of theauction.

Store applications 206 allow a seller to group listings within a“virtual” store, which may be branded and otherwise personalized by andfor the seller. Such a virtual store may also offer promotions,incentives, and features that are specific and personalized to arelevant seller.

Reputation applications 208 allow users who transact, utilizing thenetworked system 102, to establish, build, and maintain reputations,which may be made available and published to potential trading partners.Consider that where, for example, the networked system 102 supportsperson-to-person trading, users may otherwise have no history or otherreference information whereby the trustworthiness and credibility ofpotential trading partners may be assessed. The reputation applications208 allow a user (for example, through feedback provided by othertransaction partners) to establish a reputation within the networkedsystem 102 over time. Other potential trading partners may thenreference such a reputation for the purposes of assessing credibilityand trustworthiness.

Personalization applications 210 allow users of the networked system 102to personalize various aspects of their interactions with the networkedsystem 102. For example a user may, utilizing an appropriatepersonalization application 210, create a personalized reference page atwhich information regarding transactions to which the user is (or hasbeen) a party may be viewed. Further, a personalization application 210may enable a user to personalize listings and other aspects of theirinteractions with the networked system 102 and other parties.

The networked system 102 may support a number of marketplaces that arecustomized, for example, for specific geographic regions. A version ofthe networked system 102 may be customized for the United Kingdom,whereas another version of the networked system 102 may be customizedfor the United States. Each of these versions may operate as anindependent marketplace or may be customized (or internationalized)presentations of a common underlying marketplace. The networked system102 may accordingly include a number of internationalizationapplications 212 that customize information (and/or the presentation ofinformation) by the networked system 102 according to predeterminedcriteria (e.g., geographic, demographic or marketplace criteria). Forexample, the internationalization applications 212 may be used tosupport the customization of information for a number of regionalwebsites that are operated by the networked system 102 and that areaccessible via respective web servers 116.

Navigation of the networked system 102 may be facilitated by one or morenavigation applications 214. For example, a search application (as anexample of a navigation application 214) may enable key word searches oflistings published via the networked system 102. A browse applicationmay allow users to browse various category, catalogue, or inventory datastructures according to which listings may be classified within thenetworked system 102. Various other navigation applications 214 may beprovided to supplement the search and browsing applications.

In order to make listings, available via the networked system 102, asvisually informing and attractive as possible, the applications 120 and122 may include one or more imaging applications 216, which users mayutilize to upload images for inclusion within listings. An imagingapplication 216 also operates to incorporate images within viewedlistings. The imaging applications 216 may also support one or morepromotional features, such as image galleries that are presented topotential buyers. For example, sellers may pay an additional fee to havean image included within a gallery of images for promoted items.

Listing creation applications 218 allow sellers to conveniently authorlistings pertaining to goods or services that they wish to transact viathe networked system 102, and listing management applications 220 allowsellers to manage such listings. Specifically, where a particular sellerhas authored and/or published a large number of listings, the managementof such listings may present a challenge. The listing managementapplications 220 provide a number of features (e.g., auto-relisting,inventory level monitors, etc.) to assist the seller in managing suchlistings. One or more post-listing management applications 222 alsoassist sellers with a number of activities that typically occurpost-listing. For example, upon completion of an auction facilitated byone or more auction applications 202, a seller may wish to leavefeedback regarding a particular buyer. To this end, a post-listingmanagement application 222 may provide an interface to one or morereputation applications 208, so as to allow the seller conveniently toprovide feedback regarding multiple buyers to the reputationapplications 208.

Dispute resolution applications 224 provide mechanisms whereby disputesarising between transacting parties may be resolved. For example, thedispute resolution applications 224 may provide guided procedureswhereby the parties are guided through a number of steps in an attemptto settle a dispute. In the event that the dispute cannot be settled viathe guided procedures, the dispute may be escalated to a third partymediator or arbitrator.

A number of fraud prevention applications 226 implement fraud detectionand prevention mechanisms to reduce the occurrence of fraud within thenetworked system 102.

Messaging applications 228 are responsible for the generation anddelivery of messages to users of the networked system 102, such as, forexample, messages advising users regarding the status of listings at thenetworked system 102 (e.g., providing “outbid” notices to bidders duringan auction process or to providing promotional and merchandisinginformation to users). Respective messaging applications 228 may utilizeany one of a number of message delivery networks and platforms todeliver messages to users. For example, messaging applications 228 maydeliver electronic mail (e-mail), instant message (IM), Short MessageService (SMS), text, facsimile, or voice (e.g., Voice over IP (VoIP))messages via the wired (e.g., the Internet), Plain Old Telephone Service(POTS), or wireless (e.g., mobile, cellular, WiFi, WiMAX) networks.

Merchandising applications 230 support various merchandising functionsthat are made available to sellers to enable sellers to increase salesvia the networked system 102. The merchandising applications 230 alsooperate the various merchandising features that may be invoked bysellers, and may monitor and track the success of merchandisingstrategies employed by sellers.

The networked system 102 itself, or one or more parties that transactvia the networked system 102, may operate loyalty programs that aresupported by one or more loyalty/promotions applications 232. Forexample, a buyer may earn loyalty or promotion points for eachtransaction established and/or concluded with a particular seller, andbe offered a reward for which accumulated loyalty points can beredeemed.

FIG. 3 is a high-level entity-relationship diagram, illustrating varioustables 300 that may be maintained within the database(s) 126, and thatare utilized by and support the applications 120 and 122. A user table302 contains a record for each registered user of the networked system102, and may include identifier, address and financial instrumentinformation pertaining to each such registered user. A user may operateas a seller, a buyer, or both, within the networked system 102. In oneexample embodiment, a buyer may be a user that has accumulated value(e.g., commercial or proprietary currency), and is accordingly able toexchange the accumulated value for items that are offered for sale bythe networked system 102.

The tables 300 also include an items table 304 in which are maintaineditem records for goods and services that are available to be, or havebeen, transacted via the networked system 102. Each item record withinthe items table 304 may furthermore be linked to one or more userrecords within the user table 302, so as to associate a seller and oneor more actual or potential buyers with each item record.

A transaction table 306 contains a record for each transaction (e.g., apurchase or sale transaction) pertaining to items for which recordsexist within the items table 304.

An order table 308 is populated with order records, each order recordbeing associated with an order. Each order, in turn, may be associatedwith one or more transactions for which records exist within thetransaction table 306.

Bid records within a bids table 310 each relate to a bid received at thenetworked system 102 in connection with an auction-format listingsupported by an auction application 202. A feedback table 312 isutilized by one or more reputation applications 208, in one exampleembodiment, to construct and maintain reputation information concerningusers. A history table 314 maintains a history of transactions to whicha user has been a party. One or more attributes tables 316 recordattribute information pertaining to items for which records exist withinthe items table 304. Considering only a single example of such anattribute, the attributes tables 316 may indicate a currency attributeassociated with a particular item, the currency attribute identifyingthe currency of a price for the relevant item as specified by a seller.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram illustrating an example embodiment of a system400 that provides related search queries. In some embodiments, some orall of the modules and components of the system 400 may be incorporatedinto or implemented using the components of publication system 102 inFIG. 1. For example, the modules of the system 400 may be incorporatedinto the one or more marketplace applications 120 and/or paymentapplications 122, and the data storage components of the system 400 maybe incorporated into the one or more databases 126. In addition, themodules and components of FIG. 4 may have separate utility andapplication outside of the publication system 102 of FIG. 1.

In some embodiments, the system 400 comprises a related querydetermination module 410. The related query determination module 410 maybe executable by one or more processors (not shown). In someembodiments, the related query determination module 410 is configured todetermine one or more related search queries for an original searchquery based on user behavioral data that has been collected over aperiod of time. The user behavioral data may represent actions performedby users when presented with item listings resulting from a searchquery. For example, in some embodiments, such actions may include, butare not limited to, viewing an item listing, asking a question of theseller to whom an item listing belongs, adding an item listing to awatch list, and bidding on the item in an item listing, and purchasingan item in an item listing. It is contemplated that other user actionsmay be represented by the user behavioral data on which thedetermination of the related search queries is based. In someembodiments, the actions performed by users with respect to itemlistings comprise clicking, or otherwise selecting, a link correspondingto an item listing. However, it is contemplated that the actions may beperformed in other ways as well.

In some embodiments, the related query determination module 410 operatesunder the concept that search queries are related if they lead to a useraction on the same item listing. A measure of how related search queriesare may be based on how often the search queries lead to a user actionon the same item listing, the quantity of user actions performed on thesame item listing, and/or the type of user actions performed on the sameitem listing.

The user behavioral data may be obtained by the related querydetermination module 410 from a variety of sources. In some embodiments,the related query determination module 410 receives the user behavioraldata from a data store 420, which can store the user behavioral data.Data store 420 may comprise one or more databases (e.g., database(s) 126in FIG. 1). In some embodiments, data store 420 may store one or morelog files 425. The log files 425 may comprise information andidentifiers for item listings of an e-commerce website. The log files425 may also comprise original search queries that resulted in a useraction directed towards one or more of the item listings. For example, auser may have entered the term “jet ski” in an e-commerce website'ssearch field and been presented with several item listings, one of whichis an item listing entitled “2004 Kawasaki SXR 800 Jetski.” In thisexample, if the user selected (e.g., clicked) on the “2004 Kawasaki SXR800 Jetski” item listing to view the item, a record of this action maybe stored in a log file 425. In some embodiments, clickstream datadirected towards an item listing and representing user actions may bestored in a log file 425, along with the targeted item listing and thesearch query from which the user action resulted. In the example above,a log file 425 may store information indicating that, for the “2004Kawasaki SXR 800 Jetski” item listing, a user viewed the item as aconsequence of performing a search on “jet ski.”

In some embodiments, the item listings for which information andidentifiers are stored in the data store 420 may comprise live itemlistings and completed item listings. A live item listing is an itemlisting for which the item is currently being offered. A completed itemlisting is an item listing for which the item is not currently beingoffered (e.g., the item can no longer be purchased via the itemlisting). In some embodiments, completed item listings may comprise anitem listing that has expired, an item listing for which the item hasalready been sold, and an item listing that has been canceled by theseller of the item or by the e-commerce site hosting the item listing.Including completed item listings in the plurality of listings for whichuser behavioral data is analyzed to determine related search queriesimproves the quality of determining the related search queries as itprovides a much bigger pool of data from which the determination may bemade.

In some embodiments, the related query determination module 410 isconfigured to assign the determined related search queries to theircorresponding original search query in a query dictionary 430. In someembodiments, query dictionary 430 is configured to store therelationship between each original search query and its correspondingrelated search queries. In some embodiments, assigning the determinedrelated search queries to their corresponding original search query inthe query dictionary may be part of generating the query dictionary 430.In some embodiments, assigning the determined related search queries totheir corresponding original search query in the query dictionary may bepart of updating the query dictionary 430.

In some embodiments, the system 400 may further comprise a navigationmodule 440, which may employ one or more navigation applications (e.g,navigation application(s) 214 in FIG. 2). The navigation module 440 maybe executable by at least one processor and configured to receive asearch query from a user 450 on a client device. If the search querysubmitted by the user 450 matches an original search query for whichrelated search queries have been determined, the navigation module 440may retrieve those related search queries determined for the matchingoriginal search query, and may provide the retrieved related searchqueries to the user 450 on the client device. In some embodiments, thenavigation module 440 may retrieve the related search queries from thequery dictionary 430. However, it is contemplated that the navigationmodule 440 may retrieve the related search queries from other sources,including, but not limited to, the related query determination module410.

In some embodiments, related query determination module 410 may beconfigured to use a bipartite graph analysis in determining the relatedsearch queries for an original search query. The bipartite graphanalysis may be based on collected information regarding original searchqueries submitted by users and the user behavioral data that results asa consequence of those original search query submissions. As previouslydiscussed, this user behavioral data may comprise clickstream data foritem listings. The bipartite graph analysis may model the relationshipsbetween original search queries submitted by users and the resultingitem listings.

FIG. 5 illustrates an example embodiment of a bipartite graph 500showing the relationships between user-submitted queries (Query 1, Query2, Query 3, Query 4, . . . ) and item listings (Item Listing 1, ItemListing 2, Item Listing 3, Item Listing 4, . . . ). In the bipartitegraph 500, user actions resulting from the queries and directed towardsthe item listings may comprise viewing an item listing (V), asking aseller of an item listing a question (A), adding an item listing to awatch list (W), and purchasing, or submitting on offer to purchase, anitem of an item listing (P). It is contemplated that other user actionsare also within the scope of the present disclosure.

In bipartite graph 500, User 1 submits Query 1 on an e-commerce websiteand is provided with a search results page that includes multiple itemlistings. From the search results page for Query 1, User 1 performs anaction to view Item Listing 1. From the search results page for Query 1,User 1 also performs actions to view Item Listing 2 and to purchase theitem of Item Listing 2.

In bipartite graph 500, User 2 submits Query 1 on the e-commerce websiteand is provided with a search results page. From the search results pagefor Query 1, User 2 does not perform any action on any of the itemlistings. User 2 also submits Query 2. From the search results page forQuery 2, User 2 performs actions to view Item Listing 2 and to purchasethe item of Item Listing 2.

In bipartite graph 500, User 3 submits Query 3 on the e-commerce websiteand is provided with a search results page. From the search results pagefor Query 3, User 3 performs actions to view Item Listing 2 and to addItem Listing 2 to a watch list. From the search results page for Query3, User 3 also performs an action to view Item Listing 3. User 3 alsosubmits Query 2. From the search results page for Query 2, User 3performs an action to view Item Listing 2. From the search results pagefor Query 2, User 3 also performs actions to view Item Listing 4 and topurchase the item of Item Listing 4.

In bipartite graph 500, User 4 submits Query 3 on the e-commerce websiteand is provided with a search results page. From the search results pagefor Query 3, User 4 performs an action to view Item Listing 2. From thesearch results page for Query 3, User 4 also performs actions to viewItem Listing 4 and to ask the seller of the item for Item Listing 4 aquestion (e.g., by sending a message to the seller via a link associatedwith Item Listing 4). User 4 also submits Query 4. From the searchresults page for Query 4, User 4 performs an action to view Item Listing4.

Bipartite graph 500 may comprise several other relationships betweenuser-submitted queries and item listings. Accordingly, bipartite graph500 may comprise other queries, item listings, and user actions inaddition to those shown in FIG. 5.

Referring back to FIG. 4, in some embodiments, related querydetermination module 410 may be configured to determine the relatedsearch queries for an original search query by aggregating searchqueries that resulted in a user action for the same item listing andthen sorting the aggregated search queries. In some embodiments, theseaggregations of search queries may be formed for each item listing. Theaggregation of search queries for an item listing may be formed from theoriginal search queries that result in user actions directed towards theitem listing. The aggregation may be formed based on clickstream data.

In some embodiments, sorting the search queries within an aggregationmay comprise ranking the search queries in the aggregation. This rankingmay be performed for each of the item listings for which there is userbehavioral data available. In some embodiments, the ranking of thesearch queries in the aggregation of search queries may be based, atleast in part, on user actions reflected in the clickstream data.

FIG. 6 illustrates an example embodiment of a ranking 600 of queries foran item listing. The ranking 600 in FIG. 6 is based on the informationin the bipartite graph 500 in FIG. 5 and the search queries thatresulted in user action directed towards Item Listing 2. Here, Query 2is the highest ranking search query for Item Listing 2, Query 3 is thesecond highest ranking search query, Query 1 is the third highestranking search query, and Query 4 is the fourth highest ranking searchquery. It is contemplated that the ranking 600 may comprise other searchqueries as well.

In some embodiments, the ranking of the search queries in theaggregation of search queries may be based, at least in part, on thefrequency of user actions resulting from them. For example, the moreoften a search query led to a user action, the higher the ranking thatsearch query may have. In FIG. 6, Query 2 and Query 3 each have agreater number of user actions for Item Listing 2 than Query 1.Therefore, Query 2 and Query 3 are each ranked higher than Query 1. Insome embodiments, the ranking of the search queries in the aggregationof search queries may be based, at least in part, on the types of useractions resulting from them. For example, user actions directed towardspurchasing or submitting an offer to purchase an item of an item listingmay be weighted more heavily than simply viewing an item listing. InFIG. 6, although Query 2 and Query 3 each have three user actions forItem Listing 2, Query 2 resulted in a purchase of the item in ItemListing 2 after viewing Item Listing 2, whereas Query 3 resulted inadding Item Listing 2 to a watch list after viewing Item Listing 2.Therefore, since purchasing an item may be weighted more heavily inranking than adding an item listing to a watch list, Query 2 is rankedhigher in FIG. 6 than Query 3. It is contemplated that other ranking andweighting schemes are within the scope of the present disclosure.

In some embodiments, the sorted aggregations may be used to assignrelated search queries to original search queries in a query dictionary(e.g., query dictionary 430 in FIG. 4). In some embodiments, assigningthe related search queries to their corresponding original search queryin the query dictionary may be part of generating the query dictionary.In some embodiments, the query dictionary may already be generated, andassigning the related search queries to their corresponding originalsearch query in the query dictionary may be part of updating the querydictionary.

In some embodiments, the related search queries may be assigned to theircorresponding original search query based on the ranking of the relatedsearch queries. A certain (e.g., predetermined) number of thehighest-ranked related search queries may be assigned to theircorresponding original search query, while the lower-ranked relatedsearch queries may be omitted from being assigned to their correspondingoriginal search query. FIG. 7 illustrates an example embodiment of adictionary 700 of related queries for given queries. The assignments ofthe related search queries to the original search queries in thedictionary 700 may be based on the information in the bipartite graph500 in FIG. 5 and the ranking 600 in FIG. 6. In dictionary 700, Query 2and Query 3 are assigned as related search queries to Query 1. In someembodiments, Query 2 and Query 3 may be assigned as the related searchqueries to Query 1 based, at least in part, on their high ranking(reflected in FIG. 6), whereas Query 4 may be omitted from beingassigned as one of the related search queries to Query 1 based, at leastin part, on its lower ranking. A similar assignment scheme may be usedfor the other original search queries as well. In dictionary 700, Query3 and Query 1 are assigned as related search queries to Query 2, andQuery 2 and Query 1 are assigned as related search queries to Query 3.As a result of these assignments, in some embodiments, if a user submitsone of the original search queries for a search, then the correspondingrelated search queries in dictionary may be presented as related searchqueries in the search result page, along with the item listingsresulting from the submitted search query. The related search queriesmay be presented as selectable links, which, when selected (e.g.,clicked), prompt an execution of a search on the selected related searchquery.

In some embodiments, the related query determination module 410 may beconfigured to determine that a similarity level between a recall set forone of the related search queries and a recall set for one of theoriginal search queries exceeds a predetermined threshold. The relatedquery determination module 410 may then omit the related search queryfor which the similarity level exceeds the predetermined threshold frombeing assigned to an original search query in the dictionary 700 inresponse to the similarity level exceeding the predetermined threshold.Such a determination and omission is useful for preventing the inclusionof related search queries that provide search results that are extremelysimilar to the search results provided by the original search query. Forexample, a related search query (e.g., jet skis) that is merely apluralized version of the original search query (e.g., jet ski) mayprovide search results nearly identical to those of the original searchquery. If the search results are too similar, then the benefit of therelated search result is dramatically reduced, as it will not providethe user with enough additional search results beyond those of theoriginal search query.

In some embodiments, aggregations and rankings across multiple itemlistings may be used to determine which related search queries to assignto an original search query. For example, while the ranking 600 ofsearch queries for Item Listing 2 in FIG. 6 shows the descending orderbeing Query 2, Query 3, Query 1, Query 4, . . . , a ranking of searchqueries for another item listing (e.g., Item Listing 8, which is notshown) may have different rankings for the search queries. As a result,in some embodiments, the assignment of a related search query to anoriginal search query may be based on the multiple rankings of therelated search query across multiple item listings for which useractions were performed as a consequence of the related search query andas a consequence of the original search query.

FIG. 8 illustrates an example embodiment of an e-commerce web page 800presenting related search queries 810 to a user in response to the usersubmitting an original search query 820. The web page 800 may be asearch results page that provides search results 830 to the user inresponse to the user submitting the original search query (e.g., Query1). The search results 830 may comprise multiple item listings (e.g.,Item Listing 1, Item Listing 2, etc.). The item listings may berepresented or identified by a title and/or a description of thecorresponding item. The search results may also comprise an image of thecorresponding item for each item listing (e.g., Image of Item 1, Imageof Item 2, etc.), as well as a price of the corresponding item for eachitem listing (e.g., Price of Item 1, Price of Item 2, etc.). When theuser submits the original search query 820, the e-commerce web site mayemploy a system (e.g., system 400 of FIG. 4) to determine the relatedsearch queries 810 to present to the user. In some embodiments, theoriginal search query 820 may be used by the system to retrieve therelated search queries 810 from a query dictionary (e.g., querydictionary 700 in FIG. 7). In one example, a user may submit “jet ski”as the original search query 820, and be presented with “personalwatercraft” and “waverunner” as related search queries 810. In someembodiments, the related search queries 810 may each be presented as aselectable link, which, when selected (e.g., clicked), prompt anexecution of a search on the selected related search query 810. Forexample, clicking on Query 3 in web page 800 prompt the system toperform a search using Query 3 as the search query.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart illustrating an example embodiment of a method 900of providing related search queries for given search queries. Theoperations of method 900 may be performed by a system or modules of asystem (e.g., system 400 or any of its modules). At operation 910, logfile data may be received from a data store. The log file data maycomprise original search queries and clickstream data for a plurality ofe-commerce item listings. The plurality of e-commerce item listings maycomprise live item listings and completed item listings. At operation920, at least one related search query may be determined for at leastone of the original search queries based on clickstream data for atleast one of the live item listings and clickstream data for at leastone of the completed item listings. At operation 930, a search query maybe received from a user on a client device. The search query may matchone of the original search queries. At operation 940, at least one ofthe search queries that was determined to be a related search query forthe matched one of the original search queries may be provided to theuser on the client device.

FIG. 10 is a flowchart illustrating an example embodiment of a method1000 of determining related search queries for given search queries. Theoperations of method 1000 may be performed by a system or modules of asystem (e.g., system 400 or any of its modules). At operation 1010, anaggregation of search queries may be formed for each item listing in aplurality of live and completed item listings. The aggregation of searchqueries for an item listing may be based on clickstream data betweenoriginal search queries and the item listing. At operation 1020, thesearch queries in the aggregation of search queries may be ranked foreach of the item listings in the plurality live and completed itemlistings. In some embodiments, the ranking of the search queries in theaggregation of search queries is based, at least in part, on useractions reflected in the clickstream data. In some embodiments, theranking of the search queries in the aggregation of search queries isbased, at least in part, on the frequency of user actions reflected inthe clickstream data and/or the type of user actions reflected in theclickstream data. At operation 1030, related search queries for anoriginal search query may be determined based on the ranking of thesearch queries. At operation 1040, a similarity level between a recallset for one of the related search queries and a recall set for theoriginal search query may be determined to exceed a predeterminedthreshold, and the related search query for which the similarity levelexceeds the predetermined threshold may be omitted from being assignedto an original search query in a dictionary in response to thesimilarity level exceeding the predetermined threshold.

In some embodiments, related search queries may be provided for an itemlisting. The related search queries may be provided to a user beingpresented with the item listing. In some embodiments, the related searchqueries may be displayed on an item listing page that comprises an itemlisting. The related search queries for an item listing may bedetermined based on user behavioral data (e.g., clickstream data).However, newly listed item listings have little or no user behavioraldata on which to base a determination of related search queries. Thissituation arises with e-commerce sites that have a preponderance of newand unique items having a quick turnover (e.g., eBay), as opposed toe-commerce sites that have product catalogs that do not changefrequently (e.g., Amazon.com and WalMart).

The present disclosure may provide a solution to the lack of userbehavioral data for these new item listings. In some embodiments,related search queries for one or more old item listings (i.e., itemlistings having at least a minimum threshold amount of user behavioraldata) may be used to infer related search queries for a new item listing(i.e., an item listing having less than the minimum threshold amount ofuser behavioral data). Given a new item listing with little or no userbehavioral data, old item listings that are similar to the new itemlisting may be found. Similarity between an old item listing and a newitem listing may be determined based a comparison of one or more itemlisting features for the old item listing and the new item listing.These item listing features may include, but are not limited to,category data, title data, or structured item data (e.g., name:valuepairs), image data, seller data, or price data. Related search queriesfor old item listings that have been determined to be similar to the newitem listing may be associated and/or displayed with the new itemlisting.

FIG. 11 illustrates an example embodiment of an item listing page 1100presenting related search queries 1120. The item listing page 1100 maybe provided in response to a user selecting (e.g., clicking) a searchresult in a search results page (e.g., one of the search results 830 inFIG. 8). The item listing page 1100 may comprise an item listing 1110.The item listing 1110 may comprise a title or name 1111 for the item ofthe item listing 1110, an image 1112 of the item, a price 1113 of theitem, a product description 1114, and shipping options 1115 for theitem. In some embodiments, the item listing 1110 may also comprise aquantity field 1116 for a user to enter a quantity of the item the userwants to purchase, as well as a selectable “Add to Cart” button 1117 fora user to add the entered quantity of the item to a shopping cart. It iscontemplated that other configurations of the item listing page 1100 andthe item listing 1110 are within the scope of the present disclosure.

Referring back to FIG. 4, in some embodiments, the related querydetermination module 410 may be configured to identify a new e-commerceitem listing based on a determination that the new e-commerce itemlisting lacks a predetermined minimum amount of clickstream data. Therelated query determination module 410 also may be configured todetermine similar e-commerce item listings for the new e-commerce itemlisting from a plurality of old e-commerce item listings based on atleast one item feature of the new e-commerce item listing and theplurality of old e-commerce item listings. The plurality of olde-commerce item listings may comprise live e-commerce item listings andcompleted e-commerce item listings. Each old e-commerce item listing mayhave at least the predetermined minimum amount of clickstream data. Insome embodiments, the item features upon which the determination ofsimilar e-commerce item listings is based may comprise category data,title data, or structured item data, image data, seller data, or pricedata. However, it is contemplated that other types of item features maybe used as well. In some embodiments, multiple types of item featuresare used to determine similar e-commerce item listings for the newe-commerce item listing.

The related query determination module 410 may further be configured toassociate related search queries of the similar e-commerce item listingswith the new e-commerce item listing, and to provide, to a user on aclient device, the related search queries for the new e-commerce itemlisting along with the new e-commerce item listing (e.g., as shown inFIG. 11). In some embodiments, associating the related search queries ofthe similar e-commerce item listings with the new e-commerce itemlisting may comprise storing these associations in one or more datastorage device (e.g., database(s) 126 in FIG. 1 or data store 420 inFIG. 4). In some embodiments, these associations may be accessed andretrieved later when providing related search queries for a new itemlisting when presenting the new item listing to a user.

In some embodiments, the related query determination module 410 may befurther configured to receive log file data 425 from the data store 420.The log file data may comprise original search queries and clickstreamdata for the old e-commerce item listings. The related querydetermination module 410 may also be configured to determine the relatedsearch queries for each of the old e-commerce item listings based on theoriginal search queries and the clickstream data for the old e-commerceitem listings. In some embodiments, operations previously discussed withrespect to determining one or more related search queries for anoriginal search query (e.g., the operations discussed with respect toFIGS. 5-10), or variations on those operations, may be used to determinethe related search queries for each of the old e-commerce item listings.Referring back to FIG. 6, a ranking 600 of the search queries thatresulted in user action directed towards Item Listing 2 is illustrated.In some embodiments, search queries that are determined to be rankedhigh enough (e.g., meeting a ranking threshold) may be determined to bethe related search queries for the item listing.

In some embodiments, determining the related search queries for each ofthe old e-commerce item listings comprises forming an aggregation ofsearch queries for each of the old e-commerce item listings. Theaggregation of search queries for an old e-commerce item listing may beformed from the original search queries and be based on clickstream databetween the original search queries and the old e-commerce item listing.Determining the related search queries for each of the old e-commerceitem listings may also comprise ranking the search queries in theaggregation of search queries for each of the old e-commerce itemlistings. In some embodiments, the ranking of the search queries in theaggregation of search queries may be based, at least in part, on useractions reflected in the clickstream data. In some embodiments, theranking of the search queries in the aggregation of search queries maybe based, at least in part, on a frequency of user actions reflected inthe clickstream data. In some embodiments, the user actions reflected inthe clickstream data may comprise a user viewing an item listing and auser submitting an offer to purchase an item in the item listing.

FIGS. 12A-12B illustrate an example embodiment of associating relatedqueries for similar item listings with a new item listing. FIG. 12Ashows a table 1200 a of related search queries for item listings. InFIG. 12A, item listing 1, item listing 2, and item listing 3 are olditem listings, each having at least a predetermined minimum amount ofuser behavioral data. Item listing 1 is a live item listing havingrelated search queries Query 2 and Query 3. Item listing 2 is a liveitem listing having related search queries Query 4 and Query 1. Itemlisting 3 is a completed item listing having related search queriesQuery 5 and Query 6. Item listing 4 is a new item listing having lessthan the predetermined minimum amount of user behavioral data. As aresult of having less than the predetermined minimum amount of userbehavioral data, new item listing 4 has no related search queries.

Item listings 1 and 3 may be determined to be sufficiently similar toitem listing 4. As previously discussed, this determination may be basedon a comparison of at least one item feature of the new item listing,item listing 4, and of the old item listings, item listings 1, 2, and 3.In some embodiments, the item features upon which the determination ofsimilar item listings is based may comprise category data, title data,or structured item data, image data, seller data, or price data.However, it is contemplated that other types of item features may beused as well. In some embodiments, multiple types of item features areused to determine similar item listings for the new item listing.

As previously discussed, the related search queries for the similar itemlistings, item listings 1 and 3, may be associated with the new itemlisting, item listing 4. FIG. 12B shows a table 1200 b of related searchqueries for item listings. In the table 1200 b, the relates searchqueries of item listing 1 and item listing 3 are associated with newitem listing 4. As a result, related search queries Query 2, Query 3,Query 5, and Query 6 are associated with new item listing 4. In someembodiments, this association may be implemented in a storage device andlater accessed when providing related search queries for the new itemlisting when presenting the new item listing to a user.

FIG. 13 is a flowchart illustrating an example embodiment of a method1300 of determining related search data for a new item listing. Atoperation 1310, log file data may be received from a data store. The logfile data may comprise original search queries and clickstream data fora plurality of item listings. The plurality of item listings maycomprise live item listings and completed item listings. Each one of theitem listings may have a predetermined minimum amount of clickstreamdata. At operation 1320, related search queries may be determined forthe live item listings and/or the completed item listings based on theirclickstream data. At operation 1330, a new item listing may beidentified based on a determination that the new item listing lacks apredetermined minimum amount of clickstream data. At operation 1340,similar item listings for the new item listing may be determined fromthe plurality of live and/or completed item listings based on at leastone item feature of the new item listing and the plurality of liveand/or completed item listings. At operation 1350, related searchqueries of the similar item listings may be associated with the new itemlisting. At operation 1360, the related search queries for the new itemlisting may be provided along with the new item listing to a user on aclient device. It is contemplated that method 1300 and any of itsoperations may incorporate any of the features disclosed within thepresent disclosure.

Modules, Components and Logic

Certain embodiments are described herein as including logic or a numberof components, modules, or mechanisms. Modules may constitute eithersoftware modules (e.g., code embodied on a machine-readable medium or ina transmission signal) or hardware modules. A hardware module is atangible unit capable of performing certain operations and may beconfigured or arranged in a certain manner. In example embodiments, oneor more computer systems (e.g., a standalone, client, or server computersystem) or one or more hardware modules of a computer system (e.g., aprocessor or a group of processors) may be configured by software (e.g.,an application or application portion) as a hardware module thatoperates to perform certain operations as described herein.

In various embodiments, a hardware module may be implementedmechanically or electronically. For example, a hardware module maycomprise dedicated circuitry or logic that is permanently configured(e.g., as a special-purpose processor, such as a field programmable gatearray (FPGA) or an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC)) toperform certain operations. A hardware module may also compriseprogrammable logic or circuitry (e.g., as encompassed within ageneral-purpose processor or other programmable processor) that istemporarily configured by software to perform certain operations. Itwill be appreciated that the decision to implement a hardware modulemechanically, in dedicated and permanently configured circuitry, or intemporarily configured circuitry (e.g., configured by software) may bedriven by cost and time considerations.

Accordingly, the term “hardware module” should be understood toencompass a tangible entity, be that an entity that is physicallyconstructed, permanently configured (e.g., hardwired) or temporarilyconfigured (e.g., programmed) to operate in a certain manner and/or toperform certain operations described herein. Considering embodiments inwhich hardware modules are temporarily configured (e.g., programmed),each of the hardware modules need not be configured or instantiated atany one instance in time. For example, where the hardware modulescomprise a general-purpose processor configured using software, thegeneral-purpose processor may be configured as respective differenthardware modules at different times. Software may accordingly configurea processor, for example, to constitute a particular hardware module atone instance of time and to constitute a different hardware module at adifferent instance of time.

Hardware modules can provide information to, and receive informationfrom, other hardware modules. Accordingly, the described hardwaremodules may be regarded as being communicatively coupled. Where multipleof such hardware modules exist contemporaneously, communications may beachieved through signal transmission (e.g., over appropriate circuitsand buses) that connect the hardware modules. In embodiments in whichmultiple hardware modules are configured or instantiated at differenttimes, communications between such hardware modules may be achieved, forexample, through the storage and retrieval of information in memorystructures to which the multiple hardware modules have access. Forexample, one hardware module may perform an operation and store theoutput of that operation in a memory device to which it iscommunicatively coupled. A further hardware module may then, at a latertime, access the memory device to retrieve and process the storedoutput. Hardware modules may also initiate communications with input oroutput devices and can operate on a resource (e.g., a collection ofinformation).

The various operations of example methods described herein may beperformed, at least partially, by one or more processors that aretemporarily configured (e.g., by software) or permanently configured toperform the relevant operations. Whether temporarily or permanentlyconfigured, such processors may constitute processor-implemented modulesthat operate to perform one or more operations or functions. The modulesreferred to herein may, in some example embodiments, compriseprocessor-implemented modules.

Similarly, the methods described herein may be at least partiallyprocessor-implemented. For example, at least some of the operations of amethod may be performed by one or more processors orprocessor-implemented modules. The performance of certain of theoperations may be distributed among the one or more processors, not onlyresiding within a single machine, but deployed across a number ofmachines. In some example embodiments, the processor or processors maybe located in a single location (e.g., within a home environment, anoffice environment or as a server farm), while in other embodiments theprocessors may be distributed across a number of locations.

The one or more processors may also operate to support performance ofthe relevant operations in a “cloud computing” environment or as a“software as a service” (SaaS). For example, at least some of theoperations may be performed by a group of computers (as examples ofmachines including processors), these operations being accessible via anetwork (e.g., the network 104 of FIG. 1) and via one or moreappropriate interfaces (e.g., APIs).

Electronic Apparatus and System

Example embodiments may be implemented in digital electronic circuitry,or in computer hardware, firmware, software, or in combinations of them.Example embodiments may be implemented using a computer program product,e.g., a computer program tangibly embodied in an information carrier,e.g., in a machine-readable medium for execution by, or to control theoperation of, data processing apparatus, e.g., a programmable processor,a computer, or multiple computers.

A computer program can be written in any form of programming language,including compiled or interpreted languages, and it can be deployed inany form, including as a stand-alone program or as a module, subroutine,or other unit suitable for use in a computing environment. A computerprogram can be deployed to be executed on one computer or on multiplecomputers at one site or distributed across multiple sites andinterconnected by a communication network.

In example embodiments, operations may be performed by one or moreprogrammable processors executing a computer program to performfunctions by operating on input data and generating output. Methodoperations can also be performed by, and apparatus of exampleembodiments may be implemented as, special purpose logic circuitry(e.g., a FPGA or an ASIC).

A computing system can include clients and servers. A client and serverare generally remote from each other and typically interact through acommunication network. The relationship of client and server arises byvirtue of computer programs running on the respective computers andhaving a client-server relationship to each other. In embodimentsdeploying a programmable computing system, it will be appreciated thatboth hardware and software architectures merit consideration.Specifically, it will be appreciated that the choice of whether toimplement certain functionality in permanently configured hardware(e.g., an ASIC), in temporarily configured hardware (e.g., a combinationof software and a programmable processor), or a combination ofpermanently and temporarily configured hardware may be a design choice.Below are set out hardware (e.g., machine) and software architecturesthat may be deployed, in various example embodiments.

Example Machine Architecture and Machine-Readable Medium

FIG. 14 is a block diagram of a machine in the example form of acomputer system 1400 within which instructions for causing the machineto perform any one or more of the methodologies discussed herein may beexecuted. In alternative embodiments, the machine operates as astandalone device or may be connected (e.g., networked) to othermachines. In a networked deployment, the machine may operate in thecapacity of a server or a client machine in a server-client networkenvironment, or as a peer machine in a peer-to-peer (or distributed)network environment. The machine may be a personal computer (PC), atablet PC, a set-top box (STB), a Personal Digital Assistant (PDA), acellular telephone, a web appliance, a network router, switch or bridge,or any machine capable of executing instructions (sequential orotherwise) that specify actions to be taken by that machine. Further,while only a single machine is illustrated, the term “machine” shallalso be taken to include any collection of machines that individually orjointly execute a set (or multiple sets) of instructions to perform anyone or more of the methodologies discussed herein.

The example computer system 1400 includes a processor 1402 (e.g., acentral processing unit (CPU), a graphics processing unit (GPU) orboth), a main memory 1404 and a static memory 1406, which communicatewith each other via a bus 1408. The computer system 1400 may furtherinclude a video display unit 1410 (e.g., a liquid crystal display (LCD)or a cathode ray tube (CRT)). The computer system 1400 also includes analphanumeric input device 1412 (e.g., a keyboard), a user interface (UI)navigation (or cursor control) device 1414 (e.g., a mouse), a disk driveunit 1416, a signal generation device 1418 (e.g., a speaker) and anetwork interface device 1420.

Machine-Readable Medium

The disk drive unit 1416 includes a machine-readable medium 1422 onwhich is stored one or more sets of data structures and instructions1424 (e.g., software) embodying or utilized by any one or more of themethodologies or functions described herein. The instructions 1424 mayalso reside, completely or at least partially, within the main memory1404 and/or within the processor 1402 during execution thereof by thecomputer system 1400, the main memory 1404 and the processor 1402 alsoconstituting machine-readable media. The instructions 1424 may alsoreside, completely or at least partially, within the static memory 1406.

While the machine-readable medium 1422 is shown in an example embodimentto be a single medium, the term “machine-readable medium” may include asingle medium or multiple media (e.g., a centralized or distributeddatabase, and/or associated caches and servers) that store the one ormore instructions 1424 or data structures. The term “machine-readablemedium” shall also be taken to include any tangible medium that iscapable of storing, encoding or carrying instructions for execution bythe machine and that cause the machine to perform any one or more of themethodologies of the present embodiments, or that is capable of storing,encoding or carrying data structures utilized by or associated with suchinstructions. The term “machine-readable medium” shall accordingly betaken to include, but not be limited to, solid-state memories, andoptical and magnetic media. Specific examples of machine-readable mediainclude non-volatile memory, including by way of example semiconductormemory devices (e.g., Erasable Programmable Read-Only Memory (EPROM),Electrically Erasable Programmable Read-Only Memory (EEPROM), and flashmemory devices); magnetic disks such as internal hard disks andremovable disks; magneto-optical disks; and compact disc-read-onlymemory (CD-ROM) and digital versatile disc (or digital video disc)read-only memory (DVD-ROM) disks.

Transmission Medium

The instructions 1424 may further be transmitted or received over acommunications network 1426 using a transmission medium. Theinstructions 1424 may be transmitted using the network interface device1420 and any one of a number of well-known transfer protocols (e.g.,HTTP). Examples of communication networks include a LAN, a WAN, theInternet, mobile telephone networks, POTS networks, and wireless datanetworks (e.g., WiFi and WiMax networks). The term “transmission medium”shall be taken to include any intangible medium capable of storing,encoding, or carrying instructions for execution by the machine, andincludes digital or analog communications signals or other intangiblemedia to facilitate communication of such software.

Although an embodiment has been described with reference to specificexample embodiments, it will be evident that various modifications andchanges may be made to these embodiments without departing from thebroader spirit and scope of the present disclosure. Accordingly, thespecification and drawings are to be regarded in an illustrative ratherthan a restrictive sense. The accompanying drawings that form a parthereof, show by way of illustration, and not of limitation, specificembodiments in which the subject matter may be practiced. Theembodiments illustrated are described in sufficient detail to enablethose skilled in the art to practice the teachings disclosed herein.Other embodiments may be utilized and derived therefrom, such thatstructural and logical substitutions and changes may be made withoutdeparting from the scope of this disclosure. This Detailed Description,therefore, is not to be taken in a limiting sense, and the scope ofvarious embodiments is defined only by the appended claims, along withthe full range of equivalents to which such claims are entitled.

Such embodiments of the inventive subject matter may be referred toherein, individually and/or collectively, by the term “invention” merelyfor convenience and without intending to voluntarily limit the scope ofthis application to any single invention or inventive concept if morethan one is in fact disclosed. Thus, although specific embodiments havebeen illustrated and described herein, it should be appreciated that anyarrangement calculated to achieve the same purpose may be substitutedfor the specific embodiments shown. This disclosure is intended to coverany and all adaptations or variations of various embodiments.Combinations of the above embodiments, and other embodiments notspecifically described herein, will be apparent to those of skill in theart upon reviewing the above description.

The Abstract of the Disclosure is provided to comply with 37 C.F.R.§1.72(b), requiring an abstract that will allow the reader to quicklyascertain the nature of the technical disclosure. It is submitted withthe understanding that it will not be used to interpret or limit thescope or meaning of the claims. In addition, in the foregoing DetailedDescription, it can be seen that various features are grouped togetherin a single embodiment for the purpose of streamlining the disclosure.This method of disclosure is not to be interpreted as reflecting anintention that the claimed embodiments require more features than areexpressly recited in each claim. Rather, as the following claimsreflect, inventive subject matter lies in less than all features of asingle disclosed embodiment. Thus the following claims are herebyincorporated into the Detailed Description, with each claim standing onits own as a separate embodiment.

1. A system comprising: at least one processor; and a non-transitorycomputer-readable medium storing executable instructions that, whenexecuted, cause the at least one processor to perform operationscomprising: determining related search queries for each of a pluralityof old listings based on a plurality of original search queries andclickstream data for the plurality of old listings, the determining therelated search queries for each of the plurality of old listingscomprising: forming an aggregation of search queries for each of theplurality of old listings, the aggregation of search queries for the oldlisting being formed from the original search queries and being based onclickstream data between the original search queries and the oldlisting; and ranking the search queries in the aggregation of searchqueries for each of the old listings, the related search queries beingdetermined based on the ranking; identifying a new listing based on adetermination that the new listing lacks a predetermined minimum amountof clickstream data determining similar listings for the new listingfrom the plurality of old listings based on at least one feature of thenew listing and the plurality of old listings, the plurality of oldlistings comprising live listings and completed listings, the completedlistings being expired or canceled listings, each old listing having atleast the predetermined minimum amount of clickstream data; associatingthe related search queries of the similar listings with the new listing;and transmitting, to a client device, the related search queriesassociated with the new listing.
 2. The system of claim 1, wherein theplurality of old listings comprises a plurality of old e-commerce itemlistings, and the new listing comprises a new e-commerce item listing.3. The system of claim 1, wherein the at least one feature comprisescategory data, title data, or structured item data, image data, sellerdata, or price data.
 4. The system of claim 1, wherein the operationsfurther comprise receiving log file data from a data store, the log filedata comprising the plurality of original search queries and clickstreamdata for the plurality of old listings.
 5. The system of claim 1,wherein the ranking of the search queries in the aggregation of searchqueries is based, at least in part, on user actions reflected inclickstream data.
 6. The system of claim 5, wherein the ranking of thesearch queries in the aggregation of search queries is based, at leastin part, on a frequency of user actions reflected in clickstream data.7. The system of claim 6, wherein the user actions reflected in theclickstream data comprise a user viewing an item listing and a usersubmitting an offer to purchase an item in the item listing.
 8. Acomputer-implemented method comprising: determining related searchqueries for each of a plurality of old listings based on a plurality oforiginal search queries and clickstream data for the plurality of oldlistings, the determining the related search queries for each of theplurality of old listings comprising: forming an aggregation of searchqueries for each of the plurality of old listings, the aggregation ofsearch queries for the old listing being formed from the original searchqueries and being based on clickstream data between the original searchqueries and the old listing; and ranking the search queries in theaggregation of search queries for each of the old listings, the relatedsearch queries being determined based on the ranking; identifying a newlisting based on a determination that the new listing lacks apredetermined minimum amount of clickstream data; determining, by atleast one processor, similar listings for the new listing from theplurality of old listings based on at least one feature of the newlisting and the plurality of old listings, the plurality of old listingscomprising live listings and completed listings, the completed listingsbeing expired or canceled listings, each old listing having at least thepredetermined minimum amount of clickstream data; associating therelated search queries of the similar listings with the new listing; andtransmitting, to a client device, the related search queries associatedwith the new listing.
 9. The computer-implemented method of claim 8,wherein the plurality of old listings comprises a plurality of olde-commerce item listings, and the new listing comprises a new e-commerceitem listing.
 10. The computer-implemented method of claim 8, whereinthe at least one feature comprises category data, title data, orstructured item data, image data, seller data, or price data.
 11. Thecomputer-implemented method of claim 8, wherein the operations furthercomprise receiving log file data from a data store, the log file datacomprising the plurality of original search queries and clickstream datafor the plurality of old listings.
 12. The computer-implemented methodof claim 8, wherein the ranking of the search queries in the aggregationof search queries is based, at least in part, on user actions reflectedin clickstream data.
 13. The computer-implemented method of claim 12,wherein the ranking of the search queries in the aggregation of searchqueries is based, at least in part, on a frequency of user actionsreflected in clickstream data.
 14. The computer-implemented method ofclaim 13, wherein the user actions reflected in the clickstream datacomprise a user viewing an item listing and a user submitting an offerto purchase an item in the item listing.
 15. A non-transitorymachine-readable medium embodying a set of instructions that, whenexecuted by at least one processor, cause the at least one processor toperform operations, the operations comprising: determining relatedsearch queries for each of a plurality of old listings based on aplurality of original search queries and clickstream data for theplurality of old listings, the determining the related search queriesfor each of the plurality of old listings comprising: forming anaggregation of search queries for each of the plurality of old listings,the aggregation of search queries for the old listing being formed fromthe original search queries and being based on clickstream data betweenthe original search queries and the old listing; and ranking the searchqueries in the aggregation of search queries for each of the oldlistings, the related search queries being determined based on theranking; identifying a new listing based on a determination that the newlisting lacks a predetermined minimum amount of clickstream data;determining similar listings for the new listing from the plurality ofold listings based on at least one feature of the new listing and theplurality of old listings, the plurality of old listings comprising livelistings and completed listings, the completed listings being expired orcanceled listings, each old listing having at least the predeterminedminimum amount of clickstream data; associating the related searchqueries of the similar listings with the new listing; and transmitting,to a client device, the related search queries associated with the newlisting.
 16. The non-transitory machine-readable medium of claim 15,wherein the plurality of old listings comprises a plurality of olde-commerce item listings, and the new listing comprises a new e-commerceitem listing.
 17. The non-transitory machine-readable medium of claim15, wherein the at least one feature comprises category data, titledata, or structured item data, image data, seller data, or price data.18. The non-transitory machine-readable medium of claim 15, wherein theoperations further comprise receiving log file data from a data store,the log file data comprising the plurality of original search queriesand clickstream data for the plurality of old listings.
 19. Thenon-transitory machine-readable medium of claim 15, wherein the rankingof the search queries in the aggregation of search queries is based, atleast in part, on user actions reflected in clickstream data.
 20. Thenon-transitory machine-readable medium of claim 19, wherein the rankingof the search queries in the aggregation of search queries is based, atleast in part, on a frequency of user actions reflected in clickstreamdata.